Taking the Initiative Psa. 40:8 EBC Wednesday Night Bible Study 8/04/04

I. The Definition of Initiative

A. Expression of Initiative American Heritage Dictionary – initiative is the power to begin and follow through with a task.

1. Thoughts – the thinking phrase. It means to plan, calculate, invent and imagine.

a. Prov. 23:7 -

b. 2 Cor. 10:5 –

2. Deeds – the action phase of initiative. It means to execute our plan.

3. Initiative is based on knowing God’s will for your life through his word and the works of carrying out His will in your life.

II. The Importance of Initiative

A. Initiative is seeing and doing what needs to be done before we are asked

1. Bill Gothard – initiative is using the energy of God (His grace) to achieve the will of God as directed by the spirit of God.

a. 1 Peter 1:18-20 – God took the initiative for redemption

B. Initiative is required for carrying out every other character trait (gratefulness, forgiveness, punctuality)

A. 1 Cor. 10:31 – is our chief concern to glorify God. Do we have the initiative to carrying this out?

1. Do you show the initiative by rising early and seeking the Lord?

2. Do you show initiative in seeking God’s direction for your life?

3. Do you show initiative by setting aside times of prayer and fasting?

4. Do you take the initiative in sharing the gospel with others?

5. Do you take the initiative to search out those in your church and neighborhood that have personal needs?